The Design

“Perfect for warmer days, or layer two for coziness.”

We dubbed this scarf 'before & after' because it's so ugly (truly!) before it's blocked and so beautiful after.  Knitted on the bias, this light, airy scarf has the smooth simplicity of stockinette stitch without all the rolling at the edges. The pattern includes simple instructions for adding beads at the ends.

The Details

FINISHED SIZE
Approx. 8 x 94"/20 x 239 cm, after blocking.

YARN
1 skein Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace (460 yds/420m); shown in Color HP-2468 (variegated) and Color 2438 (solid). Or approx. 460 yds/420m of an equivalent lace-weight yarn.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 7 (4.5mm), or size to obtain gauge.
Crochet hook size G (4mm) for provisional cast-on.
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Optional: 2 packages Mill Hill size 6 beads; size 10 (1.15mm) steel crochet hook for placing beads.

GAUGE
Approx. 21—22 sts = 4"/10cm in bias stockinette stitch, before blocking.
Approx. 19—20 sts = 4"/10cm in bias stockinette stitch, after blocking.

KNITTER'S NOTES

The stockinette stitch fabric of this scarf is remarkably stretchy. Don't be tempted to skip the provisional cast-on step. You will need a very loose bind-off on each end of the scarf to accommodate this stretchiness.

When you begin, don't be fooled by the 'purlish' appearance of that first row you knitted into the provisional chain—your first stockinette row after this should be a KNIT row (those purl bumps will go away after you remove your chain). This will ensure that the tail you reserve for binding off later will be on the correct end.

By the way, if you've forgotten to leave enough yarn to bind off later (and several of us have!), don't despair. After putting the cast-on stitches back onto your needles, un-knit two rows carefully, stitch by stitch (you'll have to pull your tail through the edge stitch) and use the yarn from these two rows to do your bind-off. There's always a way!